SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Heat can change how your body reacts to common medications which can raise the risk for heat-related illnesses, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says.

Almost anyone can be impacted, including those taking over-the-counter drugs.

Common prescriptions like diuretics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, ace inhibitors, and even over-the-counter medications can increase your risk in the heat. The CDC also warns that certain combinations may raise that risk even higher.

Side effects can include dehydration. It’s much easier to get dehydrated and you may not even realize it. Dehydration can lead to drug toxicity when your body isn’t able to clear certain medications as well with less water in your system.

Other medications can interfere with your body’s thermostat which can impact your sweat patterns and limit how well you are able to cool down.

That’s not all. Medications in the heat can contribute to low blood pressure which can lead to fainting and falling over.

On top of pills, heat can also damage medication devices or degrade your medication, for example, inhalers can burst in hot environments. EpiPens may malfunction and insulin can become less effective.

If you take anything regularly or rely on anything specific, plan to keep those devices and medications in cooler areas.

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